The trial of two individuals accused of killing an Ontario Provincial Police officer is approaching its final phase, as lawyers concluded the presentation of evidence this week. Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Tuesday, with jury deliberations expected shortly thereafter.
The case revolves around the fatal shooting of Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala, who was killed on December 27, 2022, while responding to a vehicle reportedly stuck in a ditch west of Hagersville, Ontario, not far from Brantford.
Randall McKenzie and Brandi Stewart-Sperry are both charged with first-degree murder and have pleaded not guilty. The Crown has argued that McKenzie pulled the trigger while Stewart-Sperry provided intentional assistance in the act.
The high-profile jury trial is being held in Cayuga, Ontario, a small community near where the incident occurred. With evidence now concluded, the courtroom will shift its focus to final legal submissions from both the prosecution and the defence early next week.
Const. Pierzchala’s death sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and prompted renewed discussions on officer safety and bail reform, as McKenzie was reportedly out on bail at the time of the incident.
The jury’s deliberations, which are anticipated to begin later next week, will mark the final step in a trial that has gripped the region and drawn widespread public attention.